Published on January 31, 2005

Koh Kong Industrial Estate in western Cambodia is an alternative investment spot located on a corridor with access to regional and world markets.

When completed, the project will be the first world-class industrial estate in Cambodia.

“There are now some investors from Taiwan, Germany and Thailand interested in the project,” said Terdsak Poungchinda, director of Chotichinda Mouchel Consultants.

The project’s feasibility study was undertaken by Terdsak’s firm and sponsored by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT). It is part of the economic cooperation strategy among Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Thailand known as ACMECS.

The estate has a total area of 2,200 rai located at Ban Cham Yeam on the eastern border of Thailand and close to Ban Had Lek in Trat province.

After being assessed for eight months, Terdsak said 40 per cent out of the total area would be launched as the first phase.

Terdsak presented his firm’s feasibility study for the project at a seminar in Phnom Penh this past weekend. Attending were Thai and Cambodian high-ranking officials and Cambodian investors.

He said the project would benefit both investors and villagers. Investors can use Cambodia’s abundant natural resources for production and thousands of jobs will be created for villagers.

As an emerging country trying to open itself to the world, the Cambodian government now has many policies promoting exports and attracting foreign direct investment. It is liberalising the economy and loosening regulations, thus improving the environment for business and investment.

Terdsak added that the project would include a water-supply system, electrical power system, telephone system, and logistics facilities.

He said the targeted industries were textiles and clothing, other consumer products, agricultural machinery, motorcycle parts and glass industries.

The project is located roughly equidistant from Bangkok, Laem Chabang Port, Sihanoukville Port and Ho Chi Minh City, and therefore ideally situated to receive and ship raw materials and goods among those destinations.

Supak Vatanasuti, deputy governor of the IEAT, said a road show for the project is scheduled for March.

Sasithorn Ongdee

The Nation

PHNOM PENH

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